Future Superdelegates Are Already Kissing Up to Hillary 2016

[n2doc]

By Patrick Caldwell


In the spring of 2008, when Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama were nearly tied in the Democratic presidential delegate count after the first slew of primaries and caucuses, an obscure provision of the nomination process suddenly became fodder for pundits to predict the outcome. "Forget hanging chads or swift boating; the buzzword this election cycle is 'superdelegates,'" US News and World Report wrote during the height of the campaign.

Those superdelegates—796 current and former Democratic politicians who could have brokered a deadlocked convention—were an afterthought in the end, as Obama secured a clear majority of delegates from the primaries and caucuses. But this time around, perhaps to preserve their relevance, some of those superdelegates are jumping in early to sway the race in Clinton's favor before it even starts—and before HRC even declares an intention to run.

The Iowa caucuses are still more than two years away, but nearly every prominent Democratic politician has already endorsed Clinton, rushing over each other to effusively praise the would-be president and offer their full-throttled support. Seemingly every recognizable figure—save Vice President Joe Biden, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, all toying with their own 2016 campaigns—has attached him or herself to Clinton.

Here's a brief rundown of political heavy-hitters who have offered their unconditional support to Clinton long before she's made a commitment to run.

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http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/11/hillary-clinton-2016-superdelegates-endorse

[DonViejo]

1. Gee, what a surprise! politics being played the way politics is played.

Who'd a thunk, huh?

[JNelson6563]

2. Would love to see O'Malley run!

[libdem4life]

3. No way will the Dems give up the notion that Hillary has earned her shot and that it's time for the

first woman president, following on the heels of the first black president. She's far from perfect beyond any shadow of a doubt, but hands down holds the best chance for a somewhat unified primary and Democrat victory in 2016. Also, her baggage has pretty much been vetted..by both parties...and it's old news.

She brings in money in a big way without which no candidate has a realistic shot of winning...corporate donation naysayers notwithstanding. She needs a billion dollars, give or take.

For all her weaknesses and if for no other reasons, maintaining the ACA and SCOTUS nominations seal the deal. It looks like her colleagues are giving her the nod...early on.

[Sunlei]

4. Even if she doesn't run her endorsement will help.

[davidpdx]

5. I think the rules should be changed that no endorsements can be made before the first primary

After that the superdelegates have plenty of time to decide who to support. The whole kiss the ring 3 years before the election is fucking ridiculous.

[karynnj]

6. While I think HRC is the candidate if she wants, the super delegates will NEVER overturn

the results of the primaries and caucuses. It would look - because it is - undemocratic. It also would happen only if someone, starting with far less name recognition and support were able to create a grassroots movement that would likely have to be far better than Obama's - and that was exceptional. The one thing about super delegate votes is that they are not cast in stone once given.

The ONLY valid use of this would be if something really awful came out about the nominee - not known before - ie think Edwards 2008 (assuming the same timeline on his scandal) if he, not Obama, had become the sole not Hillary and won. In that case, I could imagine the super delegates - en masse giving their votes to HRC and putting her over the top.